Ousmane Sonko denounces opposition’s legal challenge as political maneuver
Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party, has strongly criticized the opposition’s decision to refer his parliamentary reinstatement to the Constitutional Council. The former Prime Minister argues this move is part of a coordinated effort to undermine his political career and prevent him from serving as a deputy.
In a scathing statement, Sonko described the opposition’s actions as deliberate political scheming, claiming the constitutional referral was a calculated attempt to obstruct justice rather than a legitimate legal challenge. “They are engaged in underhanded tactics and political conspiracies,” he declared, emphasizing that the opposition was fully aware the matter fell outside the Constitutional Council’s jurisdiction.
The controversy stems from a June 1, 2026 announcement in which opposition deputies and independent lawmakers filed a petition to annul the National Assembly Bureau’s May 24 decision reinstating Sonko as a deputy. The group contends that his prior appointment as Prime Minister and subsequent election as a deputy in 2024 created an incompatibility under Article 54 of the Constitution, which prohibits holding certain public offices alongside a parliamentary mandate.
Sonko has warned that if the opposition resorts to leveraging state institutions for political gain, his party will deploy all constitutional remedies to defend itself. “Should they weaponize state power against us, we will respond with every legal avenue the Constitution provides,” he asserted, signaling a potential escalation in the political standoff.
This latest confrontation underscores the deepening tensions between Senegal’s ruling and opposition factions, with Sonko positioning himself as a vocal advocate for institutional integrity and constitutional adherence.
